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How do you get Canadian Work Experience?

Most Canadian employers want to hire someone who is familiar not only with the job post being offered but also with other related matters such as workplace culture, expectations, the level of service, and so on. That being said, there’s a chance that you’ve already asked this sensible question to yourself: “How in the world do I get Canadian experience?"

Volunteer work

For most Canadian employers, volunteer work can count as work experience since it teaches you abilities that can be beneficial to your new job. This can also help you practice your language skills, especially if you’re from a non-English/French-speaking country. It can also be a source of new knowledge that can be relevant to the position you’re applying to.

Part-time/temporary work

This could be a service crew at Tim Horton’s or waiting tables at Yum, or any temporary work that has something to do with the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re aiming for an entry-level position at a marketing firm, a few months in a retail sales position can be considered as experience.

Freelance work

If you've done any freelance work (as a writer, social media manager, graphic designer, etc) that's enough for you to land a job at a company that offers these services. Bonus if you have worked with a Canadian client or involved a local project. The crucial part here is your portfolio, so it should be exemplary to convince the hiring manager and the CEO that you’re the one they’ve been looking for.

Be a startup owner

You don’t need to put up a corporation to become a business owner. Some immigrants set up their operations online where they can sell items or offer services such as design, content, consultancy, or assistance. The downside is that it has to be lucrative in order to convince the employer that your self-employment did teach you skills that can be valuable to his company. And if your online company becomes a hit, then you may not need to job hunt anymore!

Reference letter

Canadian companies value reference letters, especially if it’s from another reputable Canadian organisation or firm. You can also obtain it from volunteering or doing part-time work. A reference letter from your country of origin can also be deemed valid by Canadian employers if your previous job dealt with a Canadian company or operations.

Climb the labour ladder

It sounds difficult and it is but some immigrants started in mediocre and odd jobs before taking their shots at a better, higher-paying job. It requires patience, of course, but all will help you gain experience. Focus on your goals, so that you don’t end up stuck in a series of low-paying jobs, especially if you decide to finally apply for a residency status.

As per the Canadian government itself, “there are hundreds of local organisations to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada.” TheCitizenship and Immigration Canada and the Service CanadaWeb sites can help you with this, or you can simply visit the government’s official job portalthat has a long list of companies that accept volunteer or part-time work for immigrants.

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